[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 220 (Friday, November 13, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72555-72558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-25013]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0779; Product Identifier 2020-NM-092-AD; Amendment 
39-21311; AD 2020-22-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
The Boeing Company Model DC-10-10 and DC-10-10F airplanes, Model DC-10-
15 airplanes, Model DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10) 
airplanes, Model DC-10-40 and DC-10-40F airplanes, Model MD-10-10F and 
MD-10-30F airplanes, and Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports of cracked floor beams and floor beam supports in 
the area of the overwing exit doors located at certain stations (STA). 
This AD requires an inspection of the overwing floor beams for any 
repair, repetitive inspections of the overwing floor beams and floor 
beam supports at certain STA on the left and right sides for any crack, 
and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 18, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of December 18, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data 
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 
90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this service information at the 
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

[[Page 72556]]

It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0779.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0779; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Manuel Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5256; fax: 
562-627-5210; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all The Boeing Company 
Model DC-10-10 and DC-10-10F airplanes, Model DC-10-15 airplanes, Model 
DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10) airplanes, Model DC-10-40 
and DC-10-40F airplanes, Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes, and 
Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on August 25, 2020 (85 FR 52287). The NPRM was prompted by 
reports of cracked floor beams and floor beam supports in the area of 
the overwing exit doors located at certain STA. The NPRM proposed to 
require an inspection of the overwing floor beams for any repair, 
repetitive inspections of the overwing floor beams and floor beam 
supports at certain STA on the left and right sides for any crack, and 
applicable on-condition actions.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address potential undetected overwing 
floor beam cracks that could grow in length until the floor beam 
severs, and, if limit load is applied with two adjacent severed floor 
beams, could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane, 
which could result in the loss of primary control systems and lead to 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comments 
received. Boeing and Shawn Darr indicated support for the NPRM.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor 
editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, 
dated February 6, 2020; and Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin MD11-
53A088 RB, dated March 6, 2020. The service information describes 
procedures for a general visual inspection of the overwing floor beams 
for any repair; repetitive eddy current high frequency (ETHF) 
inspections of the overwing floor beams and floor beam supports for 
cracks, or repetitive ETHF inspections of the overwing floor beams and 
detailed inspections of the overwing floor beam supports at certain 
stations on the left and right sides for any crack, depending on 
configuration; and applicable on-condition actions. On-condition 
actions include repair. These documents are distinct since they apply 
to different airplane models. This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 224 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General visual inspection........  1 work-hour x $85                $0  $85................  $19,040.
                                    per hour = $85.
ETHF and detailed inspections....  Up to 70 work-hours               0  Up to $5,950 per     Up to $1,332,800
                                    x $85 per hour =                     inspection cycle.    per inspection
                                    Up to $5,950 per                                          cycle.
                                    inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required. The FAA has no way of 
determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition 
actions:

                                     Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Labor cost                          Parts cost                       Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 375 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up  Up to $190,576.............  Up to $222,451.
 to $31,875.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing

[[Page 72557]]

regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2020-22-15 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21311; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0779; Product Identifier 2020-NM-092-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 18, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company airplanes specified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (6) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model DC-10-10 and DC-10-10F airplanes.
    (2) Model DC-10-15 airplanes.
    (3) Model DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10) airplanes.
    (4) Model DC-10-40 and DC-10-40F airplanes.
    (5) Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes.
    (6) Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracked floor beams and floor 
beam supports in the area of the overwing exit doors located at 
certain stations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address potential 
undetected overwing floor beam cracks that could grow in length 
until the floor beam severs, and, if limit load is applied with two 
adjacent severed floor beams, could adversely affect the structural 
integrity of the airplane, which could result in the loss of primary 
control systems and lead to reduced controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, dated February 6, 2020; 
or Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB, dated March 6, 
2020; as applicable, do all applicable actions identified in, and in 
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, dated February 6, 2020; or 
Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB, dated March 6, 
2020; as applicable.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g):  Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
DC10-53A184, dated February 6, 2020; or Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-53A088, dated March 6, 2020; as applicable, which are 
referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, 
dated February 6, 2020; and Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin MD11-
53A088 RB, dated March 6, 2020; respectively.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    (1) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, 
dated February 6, 2020, uses the phrase ``the original issue date of 
Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the 
effective date of this AD,'' except where Boeing Alert Requirements 
Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, dated February 6, 2020, uses the phrase 
``the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB'' 
in a note or flag note.
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB, 
dated March 6, 2020, uses the phrase ``the original issue date of 
Requirements Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the 
effective date of this AD,'' except where Boeing Alert Requirements 
Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB, dated March 6, 2020, uses the phrase ``the 
original issue date of Requirements Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB'' in a 
note or flag note.
    (3) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, 
dated February 6, 2020, specifies contacting Boeing for repair 
instructions or for alternative inspections: This AD requires doing 
the repair, or doing the alternative inspections and applicable on-
condition actions before further flight using a method approved in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this 
AD.
    (4) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB, 
dated March 6, 2020, specifies contacting Boeing for repair 
instructions or for alternative inspections: This AD requires doing 
the repair, or doing the alternative inspections and applicable on-
condition actions before further flight using a method approved in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this 
AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority 
to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures 
found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 
request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards 
District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to 
the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. Information 
may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD 
if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation 
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Los 
Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the 
repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must 
meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Manuel 
Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, 
Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 
90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5256; fax: 562-627-5210; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (k)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this

[[Page 72558]]

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin DC10-53A184 RB, dated 
February 6, 2020.
    (ii) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin MD11-53A088 RB, dated 
March 6, 2020.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services 
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on October 21, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-25013 Filed 11-12-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P